Ranking NBA's best free agents in 2019 NBA free agency class

The All-NBA selections could throw a new wrinkle in the Phoenix Suns' search for a point guard.

The Hornets' Kemba Walker, a perennially rumored target for the Phoenix Suns in NBA free agency, was named to the All-NBA third team, making him eligible for a gigantic "supermax" extension with the Hornets, should he re-sign with the team.

"By making the All-NBA third team, Walker becomes eligible to sign a five-year super-max extension with the Hornets worth $221 million. If Walker hadn't made All-NBA, the most he could've gotten from Charlotte would've been five years, $190 million. In other words, if Walker were to decide to stay in Charlotte this summer, and choose to sign for the full five years, this All-NBA selection will have made him an extra $31 million in guaranteed money. Now, if Walker were to leave Charlotte, the most he could get from another team would be four years, $141 million. Put that next to the $221 million the Hornets can now offer, and that's $80 million extra in guaranteed money spread over five years to stay in Charlotte. Not exactly chump change. Now, is Charlotte comfortable offering Walker $221 million? He's obviously not enough on his own to even make this Hornets team a playoff squad, let alone a contender. The Hornets have failed to bring in a significant second option to pair with Walker, and paying Kemba the super-max would further restrict their ability to do so. In short, Kemba made himself eligible to make a lot more money this offseason by making the All-NBA team. Whether he'll accept it over leaving Charlotte for a contender, or whether the Hornets would even feel comfortable offering it, is another story. We'll see."

He's 28 and had a great season in Charlotte. The Suns, however, could face competition for his services, with the Dallas Mavericks among the teams linked to the point guard should he not sign back with the Hornets.

He averaged 25.6 points with 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game last season. He shot 43% from the field and 36% from 3-point range.

Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker is eligible for a supermax contract. Will he get it?(Photo: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)

Could the Suns afford Kemba Walker?

Eric Pincus, a salary-cap guru with Bleacher Report and Basketball Insider said the Suns could make a run at anyone, from restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell to mid-tier max guys like Kyrie Irving all the way up to the grand prize, Kevin Durant.

"Getting to any of these numbers starts with renouncing Oubre, Jimmer Fredette, Ray Spalding and probably Richaun Holmes. Then the Suns would need to trade Tyler Johnson and possibly a future first-round draft pick, getting only a late draft pick in return. Do that, Pincus said, and 'you’re at about $32.7 million, that’s where you needed to get. That’s the middle tier.' Make another trade, say Josh Jackson to whoever will take him, and there’s enough money to sign Durant. Of course, it’s unlikely, but that’s not the point. The point is to imagine what’s possible."

Kemba Walker to the Suns chatter

Omar Soussi wrote about how the Hornets might potentially pass on signing Walker because of the size of the supermax contract he is eligible for in Charlotte.

"This is where the Suns come in with its desperate need for veteran leadership and a point guard, Walker should be the team’s top focus. We all know the guys like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have most likely made their decisions, the Nets are likely to match any offer on D’Angelo Russell and after Walker, the point guard pool isn’t that deep in terms of star talent. So Walker is the point guard and star the Suns should gun for if it plans to be involved in free agency.

"Out of all the top free agents this season, Walker seems to be the one that any team really has a shot of getting, as long as the Hornets don’t offer the supermax. If the Hornets make the offer, it’ll be tough for Walker to walk away from that. Rumors and reporting have basically told us where the other top free agents plan to go, whether it’s factual or not. Kemba isn’t a superstar like Kevin Durant or a marquee name but he’s a terrific guard who can bring wins to whichever team he signs for. The Suns should try everything in its power to bring him to Phoenix."

Nemanja Vukasinovic wrote: "The Phoenix Suns have a great young core and are going to another high lottery pick in the summer, and Monty Williams is set to make him a much better team next year if the owner allows him to do his work. The Suns have Booker, Bridges, and Ayton, and a lot of cap space to make a run at him. They’ve been craving a starting point guard for years, and he’d be a legend if he took them back to the playoffs."

Kevin Durant to the Suns?

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azcentral columnists Greg Moore and Bill Goodykoontz make their pitch as to why Kevin Durant should choose the Phoenix Suns in NBA free agency.
Arizona Republic